Dispenser control



July 4, 1944. R. A. NICHOLSON DISPENSER CONTROL Filed March 23, 1942 [saw mm-ummmm .llIlI/l Patented July 4, 1944 UNIT-ED, gem-"Es- PATENT OFFICE 1 I DISPENSER CONTROL Ralph A. Nicholson, Chicago, 111;, a ssignorto Raymond '1. Moloney, Chicago, Ill.

Application March. 23, 1942, Serial No. 435,803

. ieeler adapted to engage the contents of the magazine without exerting appreciable pressure 7 Claims.

pensing position as soon as the supply in the preceding magazine becomes exhausted.

In the accompanying illustrations the dispensing mechanism is adapted for use-with a beverage dispensing machine, and is therefore arranged to dispense paper cups, such cups being arranged in several magazines in vertical stacks, each stack being moved into position with respect to a cup dispenser as the preceding stack is exhausted.

The improved control means is adapted to detect the absence of arequisite supply of cups in each magazine, and to actuate certain automatic mechanism in the dispensing apparatus for causing another magazine to be moved into register with the cup dispenser,

It is a further object to provide control means of the class described which will not injure the contents of the magazine though requiring contact with a portion of said contents as a condition of its operation.

Still another object is to provide a control device of the class described which will be positive and quick acting.

A further object is to provide a detecting device susceptible of adjustment to operate when the height of articles to be dispensed in a magazine descends to various levels with respect to the dispensing means.

Another object is to provide a detecting device which depends for its operation upon contact with the article to be dispensed, so that the operation is dependent upon the presence or absence ofarticles in the magazine, or at a desired level therein, but which will exert a very light pressure on said articles notwithstanding that it is further adapted for trigger action to control the movement of a relatively heavy weighted actuating member associated therewith.

Yet another object is provision of a control device of the class described adapted to actuate a master releasing switch or-the like, and including a weighted energizing member which is set in an initial position when the associated magazine is loaded, together with a trigger-actuated thereon, and to release the weighted power inemher when the contents has descended to a certain level so as to cause the weighted member to actuate the master control switch or other device.

Other objects and aspects of novelty in the invention relate to'certain details in construction and the mode of operation thereof as will appear more fully from the following description.

taken in view of the annexed drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of a. cup dispenser incorporating the improved control means;

Fig. 2 is a detail ofthe control means in perspective;

Fig. 3 is a segmentary elevational view of a part of the dispenser showing the'control device in set or loaded position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to Fig. 3, but with the control device shown in released or operated position.

The present invention provides a modified control adapted for use in dispensing mechanism of the type shown in my U. S. Patent No. 2,278,013, granted February 25, 1942.

In this type of dispenser there are a plurality of vertical cup magazines l0 mounted on a turntable plate II at their bottom portions, cooperatively with a top plate l2, which is clamped against the upper portions of the magazines, and which is secured to the plate II, by tie rods l3.

The entire magazine unit rotates about an axle or post [4, and the arrangement is such that means in the form of a'spring (not seen) surrounding the post I 4 exerts a constant effort to turn the magazine ina counterclockwise direction, the spring being tensioned upon each loading of the device.

Automatic latch means l5, secured to a base plate l6, includes a latch pin H, which is normally urged (by spring means, not seen) into stopping. position with respect to a stop notch l8 formed in the peripheral edge of the bottom plate H of the magazine opposite or in prede- .termined relation to each magazine.

Secured also to the base plate I6 is a power driven cup dispensing device 20 of known construction, and the arrangement is such, as shown particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, that the cups descend through an opening Ilia beneath each magmagnetic latch control means in the manner described in my aforesaid patent. For present illustrative purposes, it is merely necessary to understand that the master control switch 25 is of the leaf spring variety and is normally sprung open, but when closed by operation of a control device such as that of the present invention, energizes the electro-magnetic means causing withdrawal of the latch l5 as aforesaid so that the magazine is free to turn and position the succeeding loaded magazine in registerwith the dis pensing device 20. It is therefore the principal oilice of the control device of this invention to actuate a master control such as the switch means 25.

Referring to Fig. 2, the novel control device includes a vertically movable means comprising a weighted member 30 mounted to ride vertically up and down the tie rod IS. A stabilizing sleeve 31 is secured to the upper end of the weighted elevated to its upper limit, as shown in Fig. 3.

member 30, and also serves as a stop, the purpose of which will appear shortly.

The movable means further includes a bracket 32 having an offset foot portion 33 at its lower end, through which the tie rod l3 passes into engagement with the bottom plate ll of the magazine unit. Higher up along the bracket 32 is an angle member 34 through which the tie rod i 3 also passes. Near the upper end of the bracket 32 is an elongated vertical slot 35 through which passes a set screw 35 threaded into an upper mounting collar 31 embracing the tie rod l3 and secured in positions of adjustment along the latter by setting of the screw 36. It will appear from this description that the movable means, and particularly the bracket 32, is adapted to move up and down along the rod l3, and it will further appear that the lower offset or foot portion 33 of this movable structure will raise the weighted member 30 therewith. Conversely if the weighted member 30 is elevated, the stabilizing sleeve and stop 3! will bear against the under side of the angle arm 34 after the weight has been elevated a predetermined amount, and thereafter the bracket 32 will move with the weighted member to its upper limitthat is, until the angle member 34 engages the under side of the upper collar 31.

Means for releasably latching the weighted means in elevated position include a vertically elongated feeler having an offset upper end portion 4| which is secured as at 42 (by spot welding or the like) to a rocker bracket 43, which in turn is pivotally secured by a pintle rod 44 to a U-shaped bracket 45 which is secured as by spot welding, to a mounting plate 46 fastened unto the upper end of the collar 31 by a flared extension 41 from the collar. Thus the feeler 40 i arranged to swing in a vertical plane from the full to the dotted line positions shown in Fig. 4. A quick-acting, light-pressure trigger or trip release is provided by an angled portion 4| a (Fig. 3) adjacent the juncture of the feeler offciated parts from the normally pendant dotted line position shown in Fig. 4, into the full line position there shown, in order that the end portion 340 may pass the portion 4la on the feeler if the weighted movable means 30-32 is to be After the offset end 34a on the movable member has passed the portion 4la on the feeler, moving upwardly, the feeler will be restored to its normally pendant position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4 or in full line in Fig. 3. The weighted member 30 normally urges the bracket-32 in a downward direction, and if there is no obstruction in the path of the feeler 40 (as in Fig. 4) the efiort of the weight 30 will be suflicient to cause the portion 34a on the angled member to cam the feeler out of its way so that the weight may drop and carry the bracket 32 with it to lowered position as shown in Fig. 4.

If, however, there is an obstruction in the form of a supply of paper cups 50 in the magazine I0, then the feeler 40 will be restrained and the weight 30 and associated parts 32 will be held in elevated position as shown in Fig. 3.

There is one control device such as just described in view of Fig. 2, associated with each of the magazines l0, two such arrangements being visible in Fig. 1, and it is pointed out that the construction of each of the magazines in is such that there is provided a vertical opening lllb (Fig. I particularly) which extends from top to bottom of each magazine as a result of a special construction of the magazine compartment particularly described in the aforesaid co-pending application. Any type of opening will sufllce, and in the present instance, as shown in Fig. 1, it will be observed that this opening lllb is disposed opposite the feeler 40 of the associated control device, so that the feeler may engage the outside of the stack of cups 50. In this connection attention is called particularly to Figs. 3 and 4 and the lower portion 40a of the feeler, wherein it will be observed that this lower portion is positioned very close to the base plate IS. The reason for this is to cause an operation or release of the feeler when the level of the topmost remaining cup in the stack has descended well below the bottom plate I l of the magazine in order that the cup will not be in the path of the parts of the magazine to cause jamming or possible injury to the cups.

In order to adjust the control device for operation at various residuary levels of the stock of merchandise or articles to be dispensed, it is merely necessary to loosen the set screw 36 and move the entire control assembly up or down to dispose the end of the feeler in a desired position of elevation with respect to the base plate It or other reference parts, whereupon the set screw may again be tightened and the control unit secured firmly in position.

The control device is arranged to' actuate the master control switch 25 by the provision of an offset switch operating bracket 60 (Figs. 1 and 2) which is angled to engage a switch operating arm 25a when the weighted structure descends from the set level shown in Fig. 3 to the released or lowered level shown in Fig. 4. In Fig. 1 all of the control devices are set .or elevated, and the conset 4| with rocker bracket 43. This portion 4 l q trol device shown at the right extremity of the figure has its switch operating arm in in a position above the switch operating lever 25a so as to engage and depress the latter when the weighted structure is tripped or released, as by the descent of the stack of cups to the predetermined level hereinabove mentioned. As soon as the level of the cups descends to the position shown in Fig. 4, there is no longer any obstruction in the path of the feeler 40, and in consequence the latter is cammed out of normally pendant position so that the end portion 34a of the angle bracket 34 is free to pass the portion did on the feeler, and the bracket 32 and its weight 30 are dropped with a consequent engagement of the switch operating member 60 with the switch operating arm 25a and a release of the latch means i as hereinbefore described, which in turn results in a rotative movement of the entire magazine structure until the next succeeding stop notch l8 engages the restored latch l5. As soon as the magazine begins to turn, the switch operating arm Gil which has been responsible for the movement of the magazine, is withdrawn from the switch operating member 25a so that the circuit for the latch operating solenoid is opened almost at once after the magazine begins its movement, and in consequence the latch I5 is restored to stopping position in time to engage the next succeeding notch so as to arrest the next succeeding magazine in proper dispensing position with respect to the dispenser 20.

In loading the magazine, the weighted members 30 are elevated to set position prior to the insertion of the stack, so that the feeler 40 may drop into its pendant position shown in Fig. 3, with portion 34a above portion a, whereupon the stack 01 cups is inserted in the magazine to hold the feeler in set condition until the supply of cups is exhausted as aforesaid.

The foregoing construction is relatively simple,

rugged, adjustable, and easily manipulated. Moreover the leverages involved, particularly with respect to the cam action between the angle member 34 and the offset part a 01' the feeler, result in the exertion of very slight pressure on the cups in the magazine. Prior control devices of this class are known in some arrangements to cause damage to the cups or other merchandise, but the present construction avoids such danger. The control device is positive and quick in operation, but requires no sensitive adjustment so far as the trip action is concerned. Equivalent arrangements and forms of construction will occur to those skilled in the art, and it is to be understood that the intention herein is to includes all such arrangements and modications as fairly come within the scope of the appended claims considered in the light of the objects to be attained.

I claim:

l. A control device of the class described comprising a vertically movable weighted means, a feeler mounted to rock in a vertical plane adjacent said first mentioned means, a latch element associated with said first mentioned means, latching means associated with said feeler and cooperable with said first mentioned latch element to sustain'said weighted means in an elevated condition so long as said feeler is maintained in a predetermined pivoted position, said feelerubeing adapted to engage an obstruction to hold the same in said predetermined position and to pivot from said position when said obstruction is removed whereby to release said weighted means,

said weighted means being adapted to actuate a controlled instrmnentality.

2'. Mechanism of the class described comprising in combination, a feeler, means pivoting said feeler for movement in a vertical plane, a latch portion associated with said feeler, weighted means mounted to move up and down adjacent said feeler, latch means associated with said weighted means and adapted to engage said latch portion of the i'eeler whereby to hold the weighted means in a predetermined elevated position provided said feeler is prevented from pivoting from a predetermined position of latching engagement with the latch means of the weighted means, said weighted means being adapted to actuate a controlled instrumentality when in lowered position.

3. Control means of the class described comprising in combination, a vertical guid member, weighted means movable spect to said guide member, a feeler pivoted for movement in a vertical plane including said guide member, a projection movable with said weighted means to a predetermined elevated position, latch means associated with said feeler to engage said projection and prevent descending movement of the weighted means so long as the feeler is restrained from pivotal movement from a predetermined latching position with respect to said projection, said feeler being adapted to be held in said predetermined position by articles to be dispensed in a magazine and to pivot from said position when said articles are removed from restraining position with respect to the i'eeler, whereby said weighted means may descend to a predetermined lowered position, said weighted means being adapted to actuate a controlled instrumentality in said lowered position.

4. In a dispensing machine including a magazine adapted to hold a supply to be dispensed. and a master control to be actuated when said supply is dispensed, auxiliary control means comprising: a guide l3, a guided member 30, a second guided member 32, a feeler 40 pivoted adjacent said guide, means 34--34a on said second guided member to engage a latch part Ha on said feeler, whereby said second guided member may be releasably held in a predetermined position provided said feeler is restrained from pivoting, said first guided member being arranged and constructed to urge said second guided member out of said predetermined position into a normal position in which said second member actuates said master control, said feeler being adapted for disposition adjacent said magazine to be restrained from pivoting by a supply therein, and to be free to pivot, as and for the purpose aforesaid when said supply is dispensed, from restraining position relative to said feeler, and means cooperable with said second guided member to effect actuation of said master control upon movement of said second member into said normal position.

5. In a control device, a movable feeler adapted to engage a movable object, and to be restrained against movement by said object in a certain position relative to the feeler, latching and cam means on said feeler, a weighted member movable adjacent said feeler from a normal to an elevated position, holding means constructed and arranged to engage said latching means and hold said weighted member in said elevated position provided said feeler is restrained against predetermined movement, said weighted member upon release from latched position as aforesaid, being adapted to do work for actuating a controlled instrumentality, said feeler being cammed up and down with re-,

out of latching relation with said holding means when said restraining object is moved from said certain position, whereby to free said weighted member for gravitation from said elevated position to do work as aforesaid.

6. In a device oi the class described. in combination, a pivoted feeler structure, a gravityactuated movable structure, coacting latch means on the feeler and gravity-actuated structures and arranged and constructed for operation to hold the gravity-actuated structure against gravitational motion when said latter structure has been moved to latching engagement with the feeler structure, and provided said feeler structure is restrained against predetermined movement from latching position, said gravity-actuated structure being adapted to operate a controlled instrumen tality by gravitating motion.

'I. In a device of the class described, a movable weight structure, a pivoted i'eeler structure. and cooperating cam and latch means on said structures, arranged and constructed to hold the weight structure in a predetermined elevated position, and to move said feeler structure by cam action of said cam means responsive to movement of the weighted structure into and out of said predetermined position, said feeler structure having an object-engaging part adapted to engage a restraining object to prevent substantial pivotal motion of the feeler structure and corresponding motion of said weighted structure out of said predetermined position.

RALPH A. NICHOLSON. 

